Chapter 4: The meeting...

The third daughter of the Reign Family, Stephany Reign.

Month 5, day 11, A.T 882. Sunrise

At the cliffside of the silvering plateau, the silver spring.

"Stop it! Brother Dantalian! She's our mother!"

Saying so, the boy named "Dantalian", stop his movements. He still held his sword by his shoulder, intimidating me with all his will and might, and remained unmoving, it is to cut which deem to be his foes. His stance was perfect to erect a full arc swing with follow up considered.

Rather than that, she called him brother, doesn't that mean he is the prince? The problem got worse by the second, and could only hope that this boy also loves his mother.

With his sword trembling at the response of his shaking body, he asked.

"Are you really our mother!?" He yelled at me, the grip on his sword had gone tight, I could even hear his leather gauntlet making noises, "That's impossible! The emperor said he personally killed her, and even her remains were thrown in the fire!"

He spoke the unbelievable truth, the emperor personally killed their mother. Does that mean their kingdom was invaded by the empire? It is regretful to know what happened, but this only means, one of the kingdoms are theirs. If they have grudges towards the empire, and if I were to help them get their kingdom back, I will be awarded handsomely, though such a thing is achievable, it is through and through troublesome.

Furthermore, the Demiurge empire is the only and the strongest empire in Liettera. Hence, if I decided to help them in exchange for handsome rewards, it would take years retrieving their kingdom back. The rewards I want to receive is, to live with them in their castle without making me work, and make their people inside their kingdom to not have any hatred or negativity towards me, if possible, I want to access the library in their kingdom too. And of course, forbidden and restricted areas as well.

"Mother is powerful!" she insisted desperately. The boy, Dantalian, faced her. She continued, "There is no way that father can kill her! There is no such thing is death to our mother and our father!" She rebukes loudly.

Wait, I'm so confused. To how they call their parents are different, is the emperor their father? and their mother is the emperor's wife? She even confirmed that there is no death to their parents, the emperor of the Demiurge empire is immortal. But, I doubt that I am on the same page as them.

"Tsk!" Dantalian clicks his tongue, "The emperor is almighty! He can kill Artermia in a second!" He rebuked.

"Lies! Mother is the most powerful caster!" And again, Jallain shouted atop her lungs as she clenched her cuffs. She continues her fight as if not backing down, "Dear sister Cristabel cannot even get a scratch on her! She uses unusual magic, I could only presume it's magic from ancient times! Not only that, she could use a finite amount of it without worrying about mana!"

Eh? I was shocked by the fact but did not show on my face. Dantalian glared at her and furiously approach her.

"Are you saying that the emperor - our father can be killed?" He grabs Jallian by her collar, completely disregarded the relationships between them. "Are you rebelling our empire? The place that our father works for hundred of years? The country in which you were born and raised? Are you disregarding yourself from the royal Demiurge family? Answer me with your pride and blood at stake!"

And the unbelievable truth was revealed. I could not react by the fact that they are the children of the emperor, will my plan be successful in the end? Or rather, all my plans had been destroyed. I won't mess with the empire whose Reign lasts for hundreds of years, not to mention, they had accomplished many achievements and brought terror to all surrounding countries.

Of course, I know that the result of my plan would be great if it ended what I had imagined, however, they were not the royal family from the captured kingdoms that I have assumed. Thus, that plan goes to trash, what could I do to have them in control? The rewards I seek has also gone to waste, what an unfortunate scene to step into.

Not only that, assuming that I will come up with a plan to control them, It is likely to fail, since looking at the achievements of the emperor, he seemed to be more intelligent than most people living in Liettera, and with how he is still alive at the present time. He surely had accumulated many experiences, he might even notice that I am controlling his children. Not only my life would be at stake, but also my family is in the gamble too.

Remembering what Dantalain had said, their mother was killed by the emperor. Wait I overlook something, in the first place, why did the emperor kill their mother? Why do these children not have resentment towards their father?

Wait… I overlook something again. When Jallain met me, she has mistaken me as their mother, does that mean she has silver hair and red eyes like mine? I assume so, people often make mistakes with appearances, and it's a nature for humans to have. Presuming that the appearance is the same as mine, does this connect with the cursed appearance? If so, the emperor is ruthless to the point he killed his wife because of the cursed appearance. In addition, why is the cursed appearance is being hated?

Wait… In the very very first place, why are the children of the emperor here? I have so many questions to ask, but it would be too strange if their mother does not know. Hence, I swallowed every question I want to ask, and spectate them. Though, as a mother in acting, I have to stop them from fighting. But, I want to know more about it.

"That's not what I meant!" Jallain replied, her eyebrow curves down as she looks at Dantalian. "Mother is powerful! But she cannot kill someone that she loves! I know what our mother is!"

Tears stuck in her eyes, ready to pour down as to engage a rageful cry. I continued to watch them quietly, it's a fight between the family, I should not intervene since I don't want my peace to be ruined by my actions. Even though I have acted like their mother, I should back out from this since it may reveal the fact that I am not their mother.

"How can you say that when you haven't met her?" Dantalian enrages, "Don't make the falsely based delusion! Mother left us when we were 3 years old, how could you possibly know?"

Oh? if that was the case, if they mistakenly assumed that I am their mother, and realized what was real. I have to say, I am a dead girl.

"Inside mother's room… There was a portrait of her, having that silver hair and deep red eyes."

Jallian confirmed my assumption, I nodded slightly in relief. "Yet! Even without it, I can still remember our mother! Her soothing voice that always toned out nonchalantly, she has the smell of our mother!"

"Then why did she ran away if she loves everyone in the imperial castle!" Dantalian raised his voice, though it was not filled with rage, but sorrow, "Why did she leave me alone? Do you know how lonely I was?"

Not only Jallian who had a tear on her eyes but also Dantalian. It fell down to his chin, he sobbed. Despite a person's might, they feel emotions since they are humans

"Father is busy dealing with the Ornella kingdom and the search for our mother, so I was left alone!" He whimpers, his fingers curled tightly, forming to a fist"Luckily for you, you have our big sister, you have many friends! You're kind to everyone, and you can be with anyone!"

Shedding a tear or two, he continued without minding his unsightly figure. "If only our mother was here, if only our mother did not run away to be mistaken as a traitor for the empire." His voice weakens so as his legs giving up and kneel down.

Without minding his attitude, he continued. "I wish someone would embrace me, I wish there was someone who would say 'you've done great, please keep it up'... If only I was not born a noble, I would not have suffered from this."

Looking at the boy kneeled down in despair, there was no need for me to hold back, or that's what it's supposed to be. I silently came behind him and hugged him tightly. Moving my hand to his head and gently caress it, laying my head down at his shoulder, sharing my warmth to him, that's what mothers usually do when their kids are depressed.

I whispered, "It's okay, it's okay. Everything is going to be alright, Mother is right here. I apologize for running, and in the future too."

At this point, there was no turning back. I have to play the role of Artermia to get what I desire, I just made my death to my peace. Troublesome things will happen from here on, and may my peace be restored in the future. However, determining my actions now, but none for the future. I am a screwed person.

"AHHHE!!!!" His cry escaped from his mouth without holding back, his tears flood his eyes as it gently falls across his face. "Mother! You're alive! You're really are alive! I'm so sorry, I'm so sorry"

He was at the state of despair, a pattern in which humans tend to break down. However, this time was mixed emotions, people become happy, a sense of relief from the joy it is currently

experiencing, but also the depression within the depth of his heart, releases from the shackles of its body. It wouldn't be weird that a human-like him, despite a prince or not, he would cry out as much as possible, to take up all the heavyweights binding him.

"I apologize that I cannot return for now due to some circumstances. but wait for me okay? I will surely return" I added, "Also, I'm in trouble can you help me?"

All of that was a lie for my act, of course. Pretending to be their mom, for now, should be fine, or I thought happily. But, now that I think about it deeply from my previous questions, why are they in this place? Such an important people carelessly roaming around this forest without even a single guard around them. Additionally, I can only assume they have matters with my father or my siblings. I have to be careful when going out, since they may spot me.

Moreover, the existence named Artermia is yet to be determined that she is dead or not. Both of them even argued about it, but in the end, there were no definite answers. Of course, it would be a big problem if she suddenly returns out of nowhere. I would be exposed immediately.

Jallian wipes the tears that stuck on her eyes and stood up. She even sways her body while a joyful smile seats across her face. Somehow I feel bad making a lie, making a fake act, and for how I manipulate them. Yet we are only strangers, there was no point worrying at others that I don't know of.

"What is it?" Jallian returned a reply and tilting her head slightly at the end.

I ignored Dantalain who was slowly recovering from his sobs and immediately replied, "My room… Do I still have a room in the palace?"

A sentence with a different meaning and understanding per individuals, I don't know if 'Artermia' still has her room or not, since I could only assume that Jallian visited Artermia's room when she was still a child. Therefore asking something in that way, humans tend to automatically comprehend and mistakenly think of something else. Also, since if I am part of the royalty (a former), I should have a room or two.

"Yes, I think Father did not take down your bedroom even when you had left. But, he forbids the servants from entering." She answers, walking forward towards us while she let her hair fluttered by the silent wind. "The things inside remained the same after you had left."

If that was so, there are no problems if I take my things, right? Then I will take Artermia's things as an advance payment. And of course, the problem with whether Artermia is alive or not, it pinned inside my head.

"I see" Saying so, I stood up and released Dantalian from my arms, "Could you get my things? I'll be waiting for your return in this spring"

I had known that the Empire's royal castle is far away from our territory, yet knowing they truly love their mom, they will do so if I asked.

"As you wish, your majesty." She bowed, raising the rim of her gown with both of her hands.

Now that I think about it, I am still a queen despite making my escape, since I haven't disowned my position or anything, but with a lack of information, I cannot proclaim so. I was delighted because everything ended without a problem, but the future is not that promising now that I think about it, the one I'm impersonating the queen, and a traitor atop of that.

I nodded in satisfaction. All of a sudden, a slight movement in the natural mana could be noticed, it ran along my skin and I could only assume that some humans were invading this place. The image of a bandit appeared in my mind, and they were situated in the forest, coming towards us.

Should I leave them here? However, my actions up until now would be in vain. Like hell, I would accept that!

Before I could cast magic, Dantalian suddenly stood up and immediately clutched the hilt of his sword. Jallian reacted the same, she looks behind her, ignoring the sweat dripping across her face. We all went into silence as we wait for the bandits to show its presence.

They have numbered at least 17 bandits, they don't have a bow or crossbows. Their swords clung up from their shoulders, waist, and at their back. The sounds of footsteps grew as they came near us.

"Bandits" Jallian muttered.

"Tsk! Nothing but pest!" Dantalian clicks his tongue.

Saying so, 9 of the 17 bandits come into sight between the green vegetation. And the others were hiding behind the bushes and trees, I think Dantalian noticed them as well. He unsheathes his sword from its scabbard, the sharpness of its edges could not be compared, and it shines the reflection of the sun.

"Oh!" A bandit let out a voice of surprise, he was carrying a dagger. "Someone invaded our bathing place, brother!" He reported.

"Not only that, these children are nobles!" a bandit beside him followed up "we can make a ransom to the nobles if we capture them!"

This bandit had his sword carelessly wave by his hand, showing no signs of trivial for carrying an iron sword with a sharp side, but has a dull other.

"Hey, hey! Before we do that, let's have some fun with that lady!" A bandit with a bulky build yelled its desire. Looking closely, chains ran along his torso down to his waist, and leather scabbard for a two-handed sword was attached. He walks down the small wooden wharf, which only responded tremors for how big he is.

"Tsk!" This time, it was Jallian that clicks her tongue.

And as if they synchronize their movements, Jallain slowly retreated towards us while Dantalian moves forward with this sword ready to strike, the blade pointed towards the bulky bandit.

"Shall I obliterate them using [crimson blaze]?" She asked, glancing at him.

"Don't. You will destroy this place and the sacred Spirit Queen will be angry from our deeds" He replied. "I can handle them all"

Sacred Spirit Queen? It piqued my interest in his reply, however, we are not in the correct place to discuss it. Or maybe, it is something that Artermia already knows. Anyways, I cleared my thoughts and focus on the bandits. If it was only me at present, I would have ended this in a silent and easy way. However, these children get in the way of making it happen.

I don't know what Artermia's power, so I won't randomly use magic, since they may notice I am not their mother. I couldn't do anything but to spectate Dantalian, he dashes forward to the bulky bandit in an instant, and his sword followed up a swing towards the sky.

The bulky bandit was dumbfounded by the boy's swordsmanship, which delayed his reaction and barely avoided a deep cut on his jaw. The blood inside his skin traced the outline of the clean wound.

The bulky bandit reaches for his sword and wanted to step-back before striking. However, his center of balance was disoriented by his early panic step-back, causing his body to fall. Dantalian took this opportunity, he steps forward while flipping his wrist to strike downwards. From his head, down to the fresh wound, and exited from his crotch, Dantalian's blade nonchalantly sliced the bandit in half as if it ignored the resistance of the armor and bones.

Fresh blood gushes out violently to the air, it splatters all around the surroundings without consent until it slowly dyes the spring and taints the wooden pathway, not only that, it also drenches Dantalian's black jacket. But he did not mind it, nor his sister who is quivering from fear. However, Jallian have no rights to stop Dantalian, since it was only meant to protect them.

After a brief second when the bulky body fell to the wooden ground, Dantalian immediately dashes to a nearby bandit, and thrust his sword to the bandit's neck, it pierced through the other side. The bandit's face cast horror and pained expression, clearly showing the unimaginable pain before blacking out. His eyes turned white, tears fell and blood rushes out from his mouth.

Dantalian kicks the newly corpse without care. More and more bandits were showing from the forest, their face was full of remorse, hatred, and fear. Their feelings may have mixed, but all of their objectives were the same, to take revenge for their fallen leader.

"TAKE HIM OUT!" someone from the bandits shouted, it echoed throughout the place.

Dantalian did not take a rest and lunch himself towards the bandits. Dantalian gives them the gifts of death.

…'

…'

…'

…'

Before long, the battle ended with the victory at Dantalian's side. However, he could not forgive himself that he let the other three bandits escape. He sat at the corpse while he was supported by his sword, which pierced to the ground.

He could only feel the pain and exhaustion spread like wildfire throughout his body, and his ears were preoccupied with the heavy breathing from his mouth. His gaze cast towards the ground dyed in fresh blood. Fortunately, he won the fight with only bruises and some shallow cuts at his arms.

And then, he noticed a presence coming towards him. He laid his eyes on it and saw his sister coming towards him. Although, his mother - Artermia, which was supposed to be behind her, was now gone. He could only assume that his sister did not notice her, yet again, sudden disappearance.

His vision went blurry until it became black.

Part 2

The new mistress of the Reign Family, Lesly Brothen Grawford.

Month 5, day 11, A.T 882. Before noon.

Grey's room. (Continuation after Grey fainted from stressed)

"Shall we return now?" Lesly asks kindly to the maid, which is currently covering Grey with a thick white blanket, it spread perfectly to the rim of the bed.

The maid turns around, the black frilly skirt fluttered even without the presence of the air inside the room and returns a reply after looking at Lesly. The so-called perfect maid that every chief of servants wants, however, as gentle and elegant as her movement is, her always-glaring-face was always the problem. With only her eyes, she gave off that angry strict impression.

"Yes" Her eyebrow cast downwards, glaring at the mistress.

Lesly twitches slightly but returned a wry smile at the end. She knew that the maid – Rachael Ledhiem does not intend to glare at her, nor the hatred is born deep in her. She turns around the door and slowly made her way outside

After returning the fainted Grey to her room, Lesly knew that the time for lunch is almost, and wanted to invite her step-children. However, the pathway of the corridors stops her from going towards the open training ground. She was still new on this manor and does not know the way around it. Asking the maid behind her was embarrassing to do since she is the new mistress, she does not want to ruin her image.

Lesly looks at the right, only a long corridor was spotted. Looking at the left, it was still the same.

'Yup, I don't know which is which' Lesly confirmed it inside her head.

The rays of light from the windows entered the long corridor, and dust that usually flies around in every house can only be imagined. This is how clean the manor was, and it is all thanks to the servants that work very hard for it. However, this is not the case for the library.

"Is there something bothering you?" Rachael nonchalantly threw a question to her mistress, since she was looking weird and was troubled by something.

Rachael was worried that some parts of the corridor had yet to be clean, and was spotted by the mistress. It only created a misunderstanding between two individuals that were not on the same page. Of course, Rachael's eyes did not lie. But Lesly replied a lie just to evade the embarrassment.

"No! No!" Lesly was slightly flustered. "I was just thinking how clean it was"

Even though Lesly is royalty from another imperial kingdom, she couldn't help but notice the work of others. The painting of Jeanne, and Yardros was simply amazing, in fact, it was made from the servants of the Reign Family, and knowing that fact, she couldn't wait to be painted too.

"Anyhow!" Lesly added "Let us proceed!" She took a gamble and walked to the left side, completely the opposite side where she got before.

'Let's do this!' Lesly motivated herself to take every clue to find where she must go. 'Since looking at the outside of the window, it leads to the outside where the garden is, and just after the wall is a cliff. This only means that this is the back of the manor! I could get to the open training ground by using the pathway outside!"

She uses her full analytical ability as she walks down the long corridor. She was feeling uneasy since the maid might have judged her, and she does not want to turn around to seek her current expression. However, that was not the case for Rachael, she was lost in her thoughts since her Master Alusu said something to her earlier, moreover, to be praised by the mistress herself was a simply amazing feat to achieve. She felt proud for the servants that clean this area.

'Though the only problem is' She continues her thoughts without pause, no doubt that she is lost in her thoughts too. 'How am I supposed to get to the ground floor?'

However, that question was answered when the stairs going downward was at sight. She felt relief and her worries were now gone, and since the office was at the right side of the mansion, it concludes that the open training ground was at that side. She walks happily while humming an unknown song, Rachael did not mind it and listens to the soothing lullaby.

As the silence between them continued, both of them descended the stairs. The only problem now for Lesly was how to get outside, however, it was also answered when they got to the ground floor. The stairs connected to the corridor with no known end for Lesly, and just across the stairs was a door that leads outside. Lesly was feeling lucky today.

Without question, she opens the double door and proceeded outside. The heat from the outside of the manor entered without consent and flooded her body to the brim with hot. Unlike inside the mansion, it was cool and warm. She hesitated to go outside since she does not want to greet her step-children with the smell of sweat.

With the thought of her children comes to mind, she steps forward to continue. She notices the colorful garden that comes with numerous clustered flowers, the sweet aroma dances inside her nostrils, it is a pleasant smell and a sight that takes away problems and stress in an instant. She walks forward, completely forgetting about her plans.

A gravel pathway in the middle of the garden leads to an old building, Lesly could only assume that it is an observatory building to see the foes at long sight distance, however, it was too dirty even though it's just a tower. Not only that, its exterior appearance was that of an abandoned building. It is unlikely to be maintained for years, it was like the servants only focus on the main mansion.

Its existence was standing out in the garden, she couldn't help but gaze at it. Rachael showed no concerns about her mistress's behavior and silently waits for her mistress behind. Lesly continued to gaze at it without moving towards it, she simply stood after feeling the rocky gravel prickly her scandals.

It was at that moment when a dark-colored robe suddenly appeared just before the entrance of the old building. Lesly was taken by surprise of how that robe appeared in thin air, and at the same time, Rachael was too but felt disappointed in herself. She could not detect that human on a robe and almost put her mistress into danger.

Additionally, Lesly assumed it was only a robe, however, the robe took the form of the outlines of a human.

"Mistress Lesly, please await here" Rachael demanded and steps forward, with as usual glaring.

When the human came to the door and peek inside the old building, Rachael closes her distance between the human in an instant by crossing the garden like stepping stones. Stepping atop the petals yet did not ruin its natural beauty, but at the same time, a shadow that almost covered the entire garden followed. At Lesly's sight, she could see the flowers became corroded but soon return to its normal state when the shadow came at Rachael's right hand.

It consumed Rachael's right hand, and by the time she steps on the other side of the garden. Her right hand was indulged with endless dark, and her fingers were embodied with pure black while its tip was sharp as double swords. It falls down to the gravel, and smokes were coming from black hands.

"Who are you? And what are you doing in this place!" Rachael shouted, suitable for her always-glaring-eyes.

The human covered in full robe turns around in a flustered manner, yet the robe was too long for its height and mass, it looks like he wore an adult size robe. The human fell inside the old library and dust covered the entire area, while they were busy doing so, Lesly pursued them by crossing the gravel pathway.

Rachael took this chance, and dashes to the fallen human. Her fingers sliced its way on the gravel, leaving a noticeable trace, but she ignored that fact and came in front of the human to stop his further movements. And even before the dust could clear up, Rachael's sharp fingers stop before the human's neck.

"I'm asking you once more!" Rachael repeated and showing no concerns about the dust. "Who are you? And what are you doing in this place?"

"Wait!" Lesly's cry did not reach Rachael's ear.

There was still no response on the human, but Rachael could feel its presence in front of her. While Lesly crosses the garden, the dust almost cleared up, and the appearance of a fragile girl came to their sight. Yet again, Rachael was taken by surprise with the fear coming up to her spine. Even Lesly, she could see what was happening,

The human covered in full robe, yet the hoodie had fallen. Its silver hair casts down while carefully reflecting the light of the sun. Even though a dust storm happened earlier, there was no speck of dust seen on her hair, from the roots down to the end. Long eyelashes atop her round eyes, the deep red pupils almost look like fresh blood, it gazes at Rachael. Her emotionless face came with the very definition of beauty, and that alone was able to make Rachael recognize this girl.

She – Stephany Reign, the third daughter of the Archduke Reign family, and the unwanted child of the demon. Even though she is disliked by everyone in the mansion because of her cursed appearance, she still has power. And that power is able to cast away the stubborn maids. Her unfazed face did not change even though a deadly weapon was at her neck.

Was it because she has an emotionless face, she does not feel fear? Or does she? But does not show it. Stephany's pupils slowly move downward on Rachael's finger without movements of her head. In response, Rachael wanted to retract it and apologize. But her surprised delayed her actions. Stephany shuts her eyes tight, showing that she is likely scared.

"I Apolo---!?" When Rachael was about to apologize while retracting her magic, Stephany cuts in.

"Are you trying to kill me?" She threw a question as she opens her eyes.

By her speech made Rachael feel her body goosebumps all over, it is as if she was conscious about her entire body, the sweat that ran along her face, she could feel it. When Rachael's deep blue eyes were swept by Stephany's deep red eyes, she suddenly shivered and trembled like there was no tomorrow. From her head, down her toes, she felt goosebumps all over, again and again, as if the previous one was overlap. Waves of endless cold strike the air, making it so silent and dead or it was for Rachael, she was not able to hear the calming breeze sweeping the garden. Moreover, Rachael's body was held tightly by something, hence making her immobile.

"Are you perhaps ruining my peace?" yet again, she threw a question, not too loud nor a whisper. However, this time it did not reach Rachael's ear for it was too silent for her.

'Well, it's my fault for not noticing there were people nearby here' Steph retorted to herself.

She wanted to silent the maid – or she looks like, assuming on her clothes. But another noble was present behind and just looking at her appearance, she is likely another high-noble. Maybe the current queen of the empire perhaps? Stephany thought it was possible, but knowing the reaction of the princess and the prince of the empire, it is likely not. Or maybe it's another princess like them? If so, she wants to deceive them too.

Could not kill the maid, Stephany should at least punished her, she uses her [frozen] ability. The calm atmosphere between them became dread as if an unexpected storm was about to land, moreover, this silence cast the cold and spreads quickly onto the surroundings. The wooden floor glittered, and snowflakes tampered its texture and pattern. The stone, the hairy grass, and the gravel – they were no exception, even the front exterior of the library, all became frozen.

On the part of the entrance, born a sharp icicle and pointed at the maid. Furthermore, some became the obstruction of her escape, the icicles surrounded her in a blink of an eye.

"Hic!" A delayed shriek came from Rachael's mouth as she noticed her feet were frozen.

The sharp icicles from below and above pointed at a single target, and it was Rachael. She was unlikely to be able to escape, and with this, Stephany was pleased. If this maid spread this horrendous experience, the other may find it hard to approach Stephany, or close to impossible. She counted the future that will come with no displeasure with the servants, she did not care if her reputation got worse, nor will she ever be. But, now that she considers that she is likely to be exiled by her father had risen.

"I apologize!" Rachael did not lose herself in fear and was able to reply to the angered lady.

Rachael had heard about the existence of the third daughter of the Reign family through the rumors, that she was a demon and an emotionless child. Nothing comes good from the newly maids assigned to her, because all those maids had gone missing. Master Alusu had taken countermeasures and had the guards search for them, however, the results showed none from his efforts.

And aside from rumors, all about Stephany Reign is unknown. Though young lady Freya talks a lot of the Lady Stephany, all of them were the opposite of those rumors. They were songs of praises for Lady Stephany, hence it was ignored by everyone.

"Oh no!" Lesly lamented as she arrives at the scene where Rachael bows her head, since everything, her arms, her torso, and her legs, were stuck between many of the icicles. Fortunately, it seems that none of it has made a wound on Rachael's body.

Lesly ran to her step-child, but the other party responded to a slight confusion using body movements. Lesly ignored it while still considering Lady Stephany's feeling, and almost instinctively, she hugs her step-daughter tightly. Lesly knew what Stephany had been through, and felt pity for her despite she has that cursed appearance.

"it's okay, it's okay" Lesly repeated those words with a soothing voice.

She embraces her step-daughter like any mother would have done, and she continued that motherly action she has.

"No one will harm you anymore, no one will wish you never existed" She spouted words to the fragile girl within her embrace.

Of course, taking the account that Stephany rarely steps out of the library, it wouldn't be weird if she does not know kinds of stuff like love. Moreover, Stephany was treated as a nonexistent person in the household, it would be weird if she does not act how a child would, nor have that rebellious behavior. She might not know what love is, what common sense is, or how the world works.

Stephany, despite the fact that she is a cursed child with numerous terrible rumors, Lesly embraces her with pure love and wholehearted gentleness.

'WHAT!? WHAT IS SHE DOING!?' Stephany's mind was full of questions that it made her mind went blank.

She hasn't met Lesly before, and despite that, she was hugged tightly. Of course, it was natural to feel uncomfortable towards the person who you haven't met before, but still, her face did not react. She wanted to question the person who was doing rude actions. And since this was the first meeting, it wouldn't be strange that they don't know each other. But it was just a case for Stephany.

"You are?" Stephany's nonchalant tone, up until now, changed, its voice pierces the warm atmosphere and brought it down to cold.

It wasn't low as a whisper, nor too loud as a shout, it was just at a medium volume with a normal question. However, Lesly shivers unconsciously, and the strength of her arms became weak as if her physical strength ran away, fearing something… Even Rachael who was currently out of the world with the frightening fear prickling her soul, returned to Liettera from Stephany's voice.

There wasn't any intimidation whatsoever, but they felt like they were before a person with the supreme position. Noticing that Lesly's arms no longer have strength, Stephany pushes Lesly away and falls to the ground. She asks once more.

"You are?" Gazing at the paralyze human before her.

It was a simple question, yet both were not able to answer. Lesly was frightened to the bone, and so as Rachael, but has experienced what near-death is. When Lesly's gaze turned over to Stephany's deep blood eyes, she could see that there was no shine within, the very soul of every human possesses. Stephany's eyes were empty as if she sees nothing from this vivid world of Liettera.

Even at that time when Lesly embraces Steph, she could only feel the coldness on her skin like every corpse possesses.